Graham Creek Nature Preserve

Review

Intro

Graham Creek Nature Preserve is the perfect getaway for cyclists looking to unwind or to get in a good workout. Beginners who are just learning the ins-and-outs of mountain biking will find the bike trail a great place to learn. The trail is rated as intermediate with a few technical challenges but what it lacks in difficulty it more than makes up for in the scenery. It’s a beautiful ride through a long leaf pine forest with streams, muddy swales, and a pitcher plant bog. Much of the trail is wide dirt or grass path that travels in and out of a shady canopy.

What Makes It Great

Although small in size, only about 500 acres, Graham Creek Nature Preserve in Foley is a popular place for hikers, paddlers, and bikers, and it’s no wonder. Within the confines of this small preserve you can spend hours in several eco-systems: bottomland forest, pine savannah, pitcher plant bogs, and wide open fields.

For bikers, the preserve has a 7.5-mile long trail that is kind of, sort of a square figure eight. The trail is rated as an intermediate ride with a few technical challenges. You’ll be riding through a small swamp, pine savannah, and past a beautiful pitcher plant bog. The trail is a mix of narrow single track dirt paths with roots, wide gravel roads, and grassy fields. There are a couple of crossings through muddy swales and across a stream. These areas can be knee deep in water after a good southern rain and the stream is rocky and slick.

The trail is marked with orange medallion markers and crosses the green hiking trail and blue cross country trail several times so be alert for hikers and runners.

Who is Going to Love It

This is a great park for beginners who are just starting out in mountain biking. The trail is wide for the most part and with either a grass or dirt bed. One of the most challenging areas is a small creek crossing that can be several inches deep after a good rain, not to mention the rocks are slippery. Other than that this is a nice ride in the woods for those who just want to get away for an hour or so and do a quick workout or to visit the beautiful white top pitcher plants that grow here.

Directions, Parking, & Regulations

From the intersection of US 98 and AL 59 in Foley, Alabama, take US 98 east 2.1-miles and turn right (south) onto the Foley Beach Expressway. Travel 3.6-miles and turn left on CR 12 South. Continue 1.3 miles and turn right onto Wolf Bay Dr. Travel 1-mile and the well-marked entrance to the park is on the right. Turn right here and travel 800 feet to the parking lot on the left. The trail begins across the road from the parking area.

The preserve is open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week. Helmets are required. Picking of plants and berries is prohibited. And please, practice Leave No Trace.